Extraordinary houseboat near Tower Bridge
Extraordinary houseboat near Tower Bridge Houseboat: London's most historic houseboat with the postcard view of Tower Bridge.
Excellent! 5/5
BOOKA CARE
- Your money is safe, we pay your host 2 days after check-in.
- 100% refund in the unlikely event the host cancels.
- Changing booking details is always free.
- Access to urgent phone line during your booking.
- Book Co2 positive, we compensate 3 times more than we emit.
Houseboat highlights
- Exceptional views of Tower Bridge and The City
- Superb location on the River Thames
- Spacious and comfortable
- Stunning interior and equipment
- Perfect for families & larger groups
Houseboat summary
Welcome aboard this beautifully restored 4-bedroom London houseboat on the South Bank of the Thames with exceptional views of Tower Bridge, the River Thames, The City of London & Canary Wharf. If you want to be right there in the heart of London this is the place! Staying on board this luxurious 5* London houseboat is a truly memorable experience.
Houseboat description
The world's first floating Customs House, built in 1904 as 'HMS (His Majesty's Ship) Harpy', has been transformed into one of London's most unique homes, right in the heart of the city.
King George V made an official visit to Extraordinary houseboat near Tower Bridge in 1920 - there's a photo of that on board. As the former VIP landing stage for The City of London, visiting dignitaries included Sir Winston Churchill, Earl Mountbatten (the last Viceroy of India), HRH Princess Margaret and Maggie Thatcher. The last royal visitor was HRH The Prince of Wales (Prince Charles), in 1989. Jane Seymour held her OBE party on board in 2000.
Ex Prime Minister Sir John Major was guest of honour at Sir Oliver Letwin's fundraising party on board in 2008. Quoting Sir Oliver: 'Your boat is really beautiful, it was all so generously and elegantly done, one really felt as if it were a Venetian festival.
Since being made available as a holiday let in 2017, a number of Hollywood stars have made their London base; most recently (in 2018), Gerard Butler, whilst filming in London. A number of films have used as a location, including Spielberg's Young Sherlock Holmes and A Fish called Wanda. Extraordinary houseboat near Tower Bridge also features as an iconic Thames vessel in Legoland's model of London.
Acquired by the current owners in 1981, and now known as simply 'Extraordinary houseboat near Tower Bridge', this fascinating piece of maritime history offers 5* luxury accommodation with the postcard view of Tower Bridge, the River Thames, the skyline of The City of London to the west and Canary Wharf to the east. Extraordinary houseboat near Tower Bridge is the perfect London base for a large family holiday or a group of colleagues on a working visit to The City of London.
At 115 years old, as well as being the oldest houseboat in London, with 233 sq. m. (2,506 sq. ft.) of decks, and 172 sq. m. (1,850 sq. ft.) internal accommodation, Extraordinary houseboat near Tower Bridge is also the largest. Four double cabins (one of which can be a twin bedded room), comfortably sleep 8 guests, and,in 3 sofa beds and a crib/cot, up to a further 4 guests - a maximum of 12.All cabins are above deck, each with large double glazed windows with river views. Cabin 1 has remote controlled electric lined curtains. Cabins 2, 3 & 4 have lined curtains.
The main living space is 18.4m long (60ft) with 22 windows and exposed timber trusses to the 11ft 9in (3.6m) ceiling. From the living-dining-kitchen, there are 2 doors and French windows onto the 117 sq. m. (1,260 sq. ft.) upper deck, with an eight-seater teak dining table, a serving table and two benches, all with the amazing views. There are 12 external upper deck bulkhead lights and stainless steel safety wires between the deck rails.
The kitchen includes an American fridge/freezer/ice maker, an alkaline water filtration system, Neff gas hob and double oven, extractor fan, Miele dishwasher, microwave, espresso 'bean to cup' coffee machine, rice steamer, juicer and all the basics; chefs knives, kettle, Dualit toaster, Kenwood blenders, cafetieres and Le Creuset pots and pans, graters, measuring jugs, mixing bowls, oven gloves, tea towels etc. There is plenty of crockery/serving dishes and cutlery; generally 16 of everything.
With mains power, gas central heating, mains (filtered) water and super fast fibre-optic Wifi, Ultra High Definition TVs, 3 Sky Q boxes & a Sonos sound system, with speakers in every room,Extraordinary houseboat near Tower Bridge is a super luxury floating house.
Relax in one of the superb bathrooms and enjoy the wonderful views. The fully-equipped kitchen allows you to cook for yourself if you feel like eating in and enjoying one of the finest views in London, followed by a movie on the 55 inch LG curved screen QLED Super High Definition TV & Bose surround sound system with 8 speakers on the upper deck.
Retaining much of her original robust character and details Extraordinary houseboat near Tower Bridge has a rare collection of over 50 pieces of 1920's early modernist, Ambrose Heal designed, oak furniture, including a spectacular four poster bed owned by Princess de Broglia in 1922, a Heal's dining table designed for Winston Churchill's Chartwell House, a giant B&B Italia sofa, fine art and objects, very comfortable beds with organic cotton mattresses, fine Egyptian linen, feather & down pillows and duvets and masses of large fluffy towels.
The location is superb: 400m east of the Tower Bridge and a 10 minute walk to Bermondsey tube station on the Jubilee Line - 4 stops to Westminster (Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey), and one more to Green Park (Buckingham Palace, Piccadilly - the heart of the West End.
Described by The Sunday Times as 'The mooring with the most!'; staying on board Extraordinary houseboat near Tower Bridge is a memorable experience.
Details
Location
Distances
Airport
10 km
Train station
1.3 km
How to get there
Extraordinary houseboat near Tower Bridge Houseboat, China Wharf, , Bermondsey, London :
Rail & Underground: London Bridge.
Exit from the Tooley Street entrance to London Bridge Station and cross the road. Turn right on Tooley Street. After about 300m, just before the Hilton Hotel, at the More London trees, turn left towards Tower Bridge. Turn right at the river. Walk under Tower Bridge, along Shad Thames, and make your way to the riverfront by turning left through Butlers Wharf, then turn right past the Chop House and Pont de la Tour restaurants, carry on past the old Design Museum, cross St Saviour's Dock Footbridge and the blue canopied gateway to Extraordinary houseboat near Tower Bridge is on your left just across the footbridge.
Underground: Bermondsey.
Turn left out of Bermondsey Station heading west on Jamaica Road. Cross the road. After about 400m turn right into George Row, walk to the end and turn left into Bermondsey Wall West.
Walk to the end of Bermondsey Wall West and into the China Wharf courtyard (onto the walkway around the edge of the car park which slopes under China Wharf).
Walk through the orange archway under the left-hand side of China Wharf to the River.
The entrance to Extraordinary houseboat near Tower Bridge is a blue canopied gate right in front of you.
Cab/Driving:
From the West End/City go south over London Bridge, take the first left into Tooley Street. Go along Tooley Street for about half a mile, passing Tower Bridge Road. is the 5th turning on the left, just before the church, about 400m after Tower Bridge Road. China Wharf is the last building on the left at the end of . Walk on the raised pavement area around the China Wharf parking area, round to the left-hand side of the building, following signs to 'St Saviours Dock Footbridge'. Go through the archway on the left-hand side of China Wharf. As you come through the passageway the blue canopied gateway to Extraordinary houseboat near Tower Bridge is straight ahead of you.
When booking a cab from Extraordinary houseboat near Tower Bridge ask them to pick you up at China Wharf, , .
Driving/Parking:
Extraordinary houseboat near Tower Bridge has a parking space for visitors, or two if you need them, in the St. Saviours Wharf basement car park in . Just ask; no extra charge - we will provide a security key fob.
The nearest 24-hour multi-storey car park (250 yards) is Q-Park in Gainsford Street, Butlers Wharf SE1. Coming from the west; after crossing Tower Bridge Road take any of the five turnings left off Tooley Street. Gainsford Street is two blocks (c.150m) north of, and parallel with, Tooley Street.
When you come out of the car park head north, one block to the river. On the riverfront turn right past the old Design Museum. Cross St Saviour's Dock Footbridge and the blue canopied gateway to Extraordinary houseboat near Tower Bridge is on your left just across the footbridge.
Houseboat owner
Andrew
Described by The Sunday Times as: 'The mooring with the most!', and; "HMS HARPY has been so carefully restored that she feels as much a museum as home-from-home, The Harpy has been owned by Andrew since 1981, variously used a home and office.
The latest refit was completed in 2017, prior to being made available for 5* holiday lettings.
Andrew's attention to detail in the restoration and maintenance of The Harpy is plain to see. The objective is for visitors to enjoy staying on board as much as he and his family have done for 40 years and, when not booked for guests still do.
3 Reviews - Extraordinary houseboat near Tower Bridge
Excellent! 5/5
Valerie L - England
30 Oct
Best views in London
Justine - England
02 Jan
Most stunning view from this London houseboat
Koriena - England
08 Feb
Most unique experience ever - highly recommended houseboat rental in London